I, as a former Democrat, former Republican and now (consider myself) Independent voter, but mostly conservative, feel that Pelosi and Schumer both don't do the Democratic party any good. I think both are toxic just as Harry Reid was. I believe the Democrats need newer leadership all over. I very much believe that there needs to be a determined attempt, with the party, to establish/cultivate some more moderate and even conservative candidates in various parts of the Country that lean those directions and provide them a voice in the party and constructing the party platform.
I also believe that being against someone or against a certain thing is not a platform to run on. If I were a Democratic candidate, here in Alabama, I'd run on seeking to find some common ground with Trump to negotiate issues. I'd run on attempts to require healthcare providers to provide uniform or informatory pricing on various procedures so that patients could shop around for what they wanted to have done and not have to wait on the first invoice/bill to find out about how much it will cost them or find out on the day of the surgery or office visit or whatever it is. Also Healthcare providers should have some grade or performance factor on their work/performance/services that would be available to patients, upon request, so patients could make more informed decisions.
Government should establish financial/tax incentives that would lure and bring Pharmaceutical manufacturers back to US territories and States. Also that would give similar incentives to make medicines affordable. Not, necessarily, regulate prices but incentives to where the companies themselves have reason to lower their cost to the public, potentially increasing trademark times where they have more time to recoup their investments. I'd work with Republicans or Democrats and the President to bring down Corporate Taxes to around 15% and bring a great much of the money being held in foreign banks back into America. I'd work for a better balance between regulations and incentives so as protection doesn't have to mean elimination of job opportunities. Politicians should eliminate or highly regulate the various professional lobbies who usually get all the attention of the politicians while ordinary Americans hardly ever get heard. Work toward identifying bad actors in the finance community that affect the market through insider information and work to keep Wall Street and those that can affect the economy so drastically keep to higher ethics and provide methods to better confront dishonesty. Work to create atmospheres in depressed areas and states with rewards and incentives to bring back industries that have left and cultivate new ones to start newer jobs. Declare WAR on Illegal drugs and divert more attention to stopping those from coming into the nation and punishing those at the highest levels of distribution. Implement a better Computer access to citizens so that they have the capacity and capability to interact with their Government on a much faster method and way. I also believe that Representatives (House Members) should have a limit on their terms that limits them to 4 terms (8 years), and to Senators 2 terms (12 years).
If I had the ability or position, within the Government, I'd like to see legislation that would establish a new department, in Government, where as Government employees, military employees, common citizens, could route ideas and suggestions as to how to save money, increase productivity in Government, eliminate waste saving money, and through various channels to narrow down suggestions and comments to viable ones provide a reward system whereby those responsible for the savings to receive a percentage reward from the first years proven net savings, of their idea/suggestion, paid tax free into their pockets.
My belief is that there are plenty of people in positions to see and recognize ways to save lots of money and cost, cut cost, improve production and make Government stronger and lighter but never say anything because they won't get nothing for their efforts or some pencil pusher above them would get credit or a host of other reasons they just don't say anything. Sure there would be a boatload of ludicrous suggestions and ideas but stimulate people to say something and get rewards for good suggestions in every facet of Government, the military etc, that puts money and rewards in their pockets.
Produce legislation that would return Health Insurance companies the ability to write policies like they had before Obamacare where deductibles were low and cost much lower than now. For those who are long term existing conditions than establish tax incentives/credits offset the additional cost for their insurance policies. MY BELIEF is as per the Constitution the Government should not be in the position to force people to buy anything from the private market. Sorry I have other thoughts but that is neither here or there but Democrats need to get back to their concerns for PEOPLE that work and adjust some of their focus to account of the changing world around us. Rather than being 100% opposite from Republicans and only telling Americans what the Republicans bill will do if passed they should be coming up with ideas on fixing what they have and telling Americans this is how we fix Obamacare and reduce rates for the patients, reduce the burden on business and increase the coverage availability and incentive for Insurance providers to get back into the market.
As for who I'd like to see the Democrats run for President I would submit Evan Byah's name. He was the former Governor of Indiana and is a very astute politician who I believe is very well grounded and knows the common people. I like him and feel that he would be great.
I'm not as enthused about Al Franken and feel he's not only too controversial and far left but there was great speculation about the way he was elected. I'd rather have Martin OMalley than him. I think Tulsi Gabbard would also be worth considering as she is a Combat Veteran and a smart, intelligent, Woman without the trash and weighs around her that hampered Hillary and would kill Pelosi and she is also young. Also I wouldn't rule out Harold Ford Jr. as a choice but I would be opposed to Al Franken I'm afraid. I think we need some new thinking Democrats that are willing to redesign the Party from inside and in doing so I think would invigorate the Party. I honestly think they will have 7 years to accomplish this because I don't see Trump losing in 2020, at least not at this point. Republicans may suffer losses in the House and potentially the Senate but I think as long as Trump goes as he is now he'll get reelected.
If some of these new potential investigations catch wind, Bernie Sanders, Hillary Clinton (again) along with Loretta Lynch and finding out that Obama knew about Russian Hacking attempts but sat on them along with the exorbitant super rich type vacations and living that he's been doing since January 20th there could very well be some disenchantment among the party faithful and quite likely could see a severe split within the party into two or three fringe groups seeking to lead the party from a Bernie Sander's type to an Elizabeth Warren/Hillary Clinton/Pelosi old standards type/ and even a Jerry Brown way off in the distant moonbeam fringe, lets burn everything down. Right now I want to see the Democrats start thinking and stop objecting and be obstructionist. I want to see their ideas and want to see some cooperation. When you hear people address Republicans they say we want you to reach across the isle and work with the Democrats but on the Democrat side you never hear that, but you should. New Leadership is needed. A Moderate (yes) and Conservative branch/wing of the party needs to be cultivated and established from new shoots and seeds at various parts of the nation. Rather than running solely against Trump it's time to meet with Trump and ask where we can given and take? Obamacare is going away so while Republicans can't get their thumb out of their, well you know, and do something there should be some Democratic Senators (rather than stonewalling and saying never never never) should meet with Trump and say lets see this bill and here's where you can get our support. Here is al its of Supreme Court justices that we'd like to see if you could add to your list if we are willing to cooperate with you on this. Anything rather than nothing. That's sort of how I feel and see it.
I personally believe Government should have NEVER done Obamacare/Democratic Healthcare. Not that they shouldn't have worked with the Health industry and tried to make things better or work with the Insurance industry and make things easier but STAY WITH THE LIMITS of the Constitution and realize that POWER is directed toward and in the States and LIMITED IN the FEDERAL Government. That's my own view though.
Hope that helps.